Electromagnetic valve-keeper remover and retriever



May 3, 1949. G. SCRIPTURE ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVE- KEEPER REMOVER AND RETRIEVER Filed March 18 1946 Patented May 3, 1949 UNITED STATES iq i'i'hhi'l QFFICE ELECTEOMAGNETIG VALVE-KEEPER EEMOVER AND RETREEVER This invention, an electro-rnagnetic valvekeeper reinover and retriever is specifically designed for removin keepers from valve stems of internal combustion engines and for retrieving the keepers from the valve pockets, though being eiiioient and very handy for many other purposes such as for retrieving magnetizable objects such as nuts, cotter pins, screws, balls, magnetizable metal fragments and he like from transmission and differential housings through the lubricant contained therein, for removing tacks and the like from sand and dirt, and for replacing keepers, cotter pins and the like.

In internal combustion engines various types of keepers are used for securin the valve-spring cap on the valve stem, and though only the most prevalent type is illustrated, the invention will as efficiently and easily remove and retrieve any of the other types. This most prevalent type of keeper is relatively small and usually becomes summed up by char from oil so that they are usually removable only by spreading through use of a wedge-shaped or pointed instrument, and when so released one or both parts usually drop down into the valve pocket, sometimes requiring the inversion of the en head for recovery oi the parts. This is a cumbersome, slow and laborious procedure for the recovery of a tiny part which will Weigh only a fraction of ounce.

With this invention the keeper can be pried open and as it is released from the valve stem the parts of the keeper will adhere to the tool and can be lifted out and then released, and if keeper should drop down into the pocket, it can qruckly be retrieved by this tool.

In connection with transmissions, differ ntials and the like, if a gear tooth for instance should break off, it can be retrieved from the oil or grease very easily with this tool, and if tacks or nails should be lost in sand or the like, the tool can be scraped around through the material and it will pick all niagnetiza'ole objects out, where to search for them in the ordinary way wou d prove slow and not at all certain of complete recovery, thus this tool can be used to assure complete removal of such elements which are a menace to tires, from sandy or dusty driveways.

The objects and advantages of the invention are as follows:

First, to provide an electro-magnetic hand tool for retrievin magnetiaable objects from relatively inaccessible places.

Second, to provide a tool as outlined which is magnetizable at will.

Third, to provide a tool as outlined with which keepers can be removed from valve stems and simultaneously reiained against falling into the valve pocket.

Fourth, to provide a tool as outlined with connections for connecting the tool in circuit with battery or the like.

Fifth, to provide a tocl as outlined with a pointed operative end for prying the respective elements of a valve keeper apart for release from a valve stem and to provide means for magnetizing pointed end for retaining the elements when released, C01 venient removal.

In describing the invention reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

l is a side View of the invention with the lower portion shown in section to illustrate the interior construction relationship of parts.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the switch for control of magnetizin current.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a valve stem and keeper with the point of the tool in position for spreading the valvedreeper elements for removal.

Fig. l is a fragmentary view showing the func tion of the bent end of the tool.

5 shows the upper end of a valve stem with the valve keeper elements in section.

The invention includes a magnetizable core illwhich extends throughout the length of the tool on which is mounted intermediate its length 1 induction coil it which is wound between the insulating washer and the insulating sleevehi terminal H? which is pressed or otherwise fixed in position on the core. This sleeve terminal is reduced in diameter at it to suit the inside diameter of the insulating sleeve it for the coil and this sleeve 5 5 is slidable over th washer 52 which washer is provided with passages for the coil terminals 56 and l'i. ndie base is is frictionaliy slidable on the reduced in diameter at E9 to fit the the and also passages hrough for the terminals it and H, and ase is also reduced in diameter as indicated to the inside of the handle-forming sleeve and shouldered cap 22 is provided for the end the slee e and likewise is frictionally slidable on the core and has a passage for the loads 23 and as indicated at 25 these leads being provided with suitable connecting means or terrninals 2t and El.

Mounted on the base is is a switch lever of the clepressible resilient type and having one end bent at right angles to fit into a cavity in the base It as indicated at 28 to form an anchor and being secured by means of a screw 29 which extends inward to just tightly grip and make contact with the terminal [6 as indicated at 30 to form a conductive connection to the switch lever 3| which is provided with an insulating button 32. A contact 33 is mounted through the sleeve 2| in cooperative relation to the switch lever and has the conductor 23 connected thereto. The conductor 24 is connected to the terminal I! as indicated at 34, and the various sleeves, heads and bases are secured together by suitable means such as by screws 35 of the round-head type, the heads of which are cut off after assembly to provide a smooth surface. The joints at M and [9 are preferably left unsecured except through inherent friction so that the coil can be replaced if necessary.

The terminal end of the core is bent as indicated at 36 and formed to a wedge shape as indicated at 3'! so that it can reach into relatively inaccessible places to recover magnetizable elements such as the ball 38 from a recess 39 and so that the keeper 40 on a valve stem may be freed by wedging the two keeper elements apart by forcing the wedge end into one of the spaces 4| between the elements as indicated in Fig. 3.

The protruding or active portion of the core is provided with a removable and replaceable insulating sleeve 42 of elastic material such as live rubber, so that it can be slipped around the bend and over the wedge-shaped end at will. Removal at will is desirable since at times space is too cramped to admit the core with the sleeve, though under other circumstances the sleeveis desirable to prevent undue pull or magnetic adherence to other magnetizable objects.

When a keeper is to be removed from a valve stem, the spring is compressed through the spring cap to a point below the keeper. The tool is connected to a battery by the clips 26 and 2'! and is then brought into use, placing the point 3'! of the tool in the space 4| between the two keeper halves, the switch lever 31 is depressed to energize the coil, and pressure applied to spread the halves and force the ridges 33 out of the annular grooves 44 When these halves are freed they cling to the end of the tool through magnetic attraction. They can then be removed from the valve pocket and placed in a safe place until needed. Release of the switch 31 deenergizes the core and allows the halves to drop.

If any magnetic part such as either of the keeper halves should drop down into a socket, they can easily be recovered, and if the entrance to the socket is too small to receive the tool with its sleeve 42, the sleeve can be easily and quickly slipped off, and following that operation it can be replaced.

The keepers and similar parts can likewise be replaced in such relatively inaccessible places by closing the switch and positioning one of the halves on the end of the tool, placing the half in position and releasing the switch. Cotter pins can be placed on one of the inclined faces of the wedge-shaped end and with the switch closed, can be replaced in otherwise inaccessible places.

Although the tool can be made to connect to conventional power circuits, in its preferred form it will be provided with suitable clips for attachment to battery terminals or binding posts, since its greatest utility is centered about automobiles, trucks, boats and the like, all of which carry storage batteries. Obviously the current required for operation is relatively minute, because no heavy current is necessary for proper energization and because the current flows only during relatively short periods.

I claim: I

1. A retrieving tool comprising a magnetizable core bent diagonally outwardly at one end and terminating in a wedge-shaped end at right angles to the axis of the straight portion of said core and forming a point at the outward end of the wedge for insertion between the halves of a valve keeper for spreading the halves for removal from a valve stem, and an inductance for energizing said core to remove said halves, and a pair of conductors including a switch for said inductance.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1; and insulating means for the entire core with the exception of the bent-outwardly portion for limiting magnetic attraction substantially to that of said wedge-shaped end to prevent adherence to, and short-circuiting of flux through contactable magnetizable objects.

3. A valve-keeper releasing and retrieving tool comprising; a magnetizable core bent diagonally at one end and terminating in a wedge-shaped end at right angles to the axis of the straight portion of the core and thereby forming a point at the forward end of the' wedge to enter the space between a pair of keeper halves and to pry the halves apart, and an inductance mounted on said core intermediate its length for energizing said wedge-shaped end for removal of said halves, and having terminals, and a conductor for one terminal; a manually operable switch having one connection to the other terminal and a conductor for its other connection; said conductors having means exteriorly of said handle for connection to a source of current, at

Will.

GEORGE SCRIPTURE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

